a. [ Compar. Scarcer superl. Scarcest. ] [ OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, excarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See Carpet, and cf. Excerp. ] 1. Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen one fifth in value. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well preserved. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Scantily supplied (with); deficient (in); -- with of. [ Obs. ] “A region scarce of prey.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; stingy. [ Obs. ] “Too scarce ne too sparing.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make one's self scarce, to decamp; to depart. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Rare; infrequent; deficient. See Rare. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } adv. 1. With difficulty; hardly; scantly; barely; but just. [ 1913 Webster ]

With a scarce well-lighted flame. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The eldest scarcely five year was of age. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had scarcely finished, when the laborer arrived who had been sent for my ransom. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Frugally; penuriously. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Arch. & Engin.) An offset where a wall or bank of earth, etc., retreats, leaving a shelf or footing. [ 1913 Webster ]